While development in the full-price shopping center sector has ground to a halt, projects continue to pile up in the outlet sector. As many as 50 U.S. outlet centers are in the planning stages, which, if completed, would represent an almost 25 percent jump in locations from the current slate of roughly 220 centers in the country, growth unheard of in recent history, but still not large enough to return the outlet market to its apex, when 285 or so outlet centers dotted the American landscape 14 years ago.

“There are a lot of people trying to jump on the development bandwagon. Outlets are doing well, and it is easy to put forward a proposal, but making it happen is more difficult,” said Adrian Nelson, group leasing director at the McArthurGlen Group, the London-based designer outlet company.

“A strong outlet center will always outperform a strong regional mall. Some of these outlet centers are performing double what typical malls do,” said Wagner. “If you look at certain brands, their outlet business is exponentially huge compared to their full-price stores.”

Even if the country’s persistent economic issues fade, Steven B. Tanger, president and chief executive officer of Tanger Factory Outlets, doesn’t think the popularity of outlets will diminish. “The value proposition is embedded in the lifestyle of today’s consumer, and outlets are the natural destination of choice for branded apparel,” he said during the company’s first-quarter earnings conference call. “The old adage is true: In good times, people love a bargain, and, in tough times like these, people need a bargain.”

Americans aren’t alone in their passion for outlet shopping. Scott Malkin, chairman of London-based Value Retail and cochairman of Value Retail China, said the company’s nine properties in Europe generated $1,400 in sales a square foot last year, led by its Bicester Village near the Cotswolds with $3,000 in sales a square foot.

Tourists from outside the European Union account for 25 to 30 percent of the visits at Value Retail’s properties, according to Malkin.

Like their American counterparts, European outlet companies are breaking out the shovels. China is a common destination. Value Retail is scheduled to open Suzhou Village in China next year with 100 boutiques and restaurants, and Malkin disclosed the company has been selected to build outlets at Shanghai Disney. “In China, you are going to have a wave of outlet center construction because there is very little of the product in existence,” he said. “Brands have been growing at full price and haven’t been pushed to be more efficient in terms of correctly disposing of their surplus. That’s all coming now.”

Canada has also been a country of choice for outlet developers. Malkin estimated 30 projects are in the works in Canada, which he described as “traditionally underserved by outlet shopping.” The biggest designer outlet center developer in Europe, McArthurGlen, will open an outlet center near the Vancouver International Airport next year. That center is expected to eventually have 370,000 square feet.

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